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Good morning!
Here’s what we are covering:
- Destin officials move to address a dangerous Highway 98 intersection after a fatal crash, while Niceville High School welcomes decorated coach Richard Morgan to lead its football program. DeFuniak Springs sees economic growth with a new Builders FirstSource facility, and both Crestview and Niceville prepare for upcoming fundraisers – Project Hope’s golf classic and Ruckel Middle School’s color run.
SPORTS
Decorated coach Richard Morgan takes helm of Niceville football program
Niceville High School has named Richard Morgan as its new head football coach, bringing in a highly accomplished leader following the resignation of Grant Thompson.
- The school announced Morgan’s appointment while highlighting his extensive coaching achievements. Morgan comes to Niceville after stepping down from his position as head coach at Marietta High School in November 2024.
Morgan brings a strong track record of success to the Eagles program, including three state championships and an impressive 224 career wins throughout his coaching career.
His player development credentials are equally notable. According to the announcement, he has coached 185 college football players, 21 All-American selections, 72 All-State selections, and seven players who reached the NFL.
Morgan’s teams have achieved significant postseason success with eight Final Four appearances and 15 Elite Eight berths. He has also coached five State Players of the Year and two Gatorade National Players of the Year during his career.
- The new Eagles coach has received national recognition for his coaching abilities, having been named an All-American Game Coach four times.
Morgan takes over the Niceville program after Thompson stepped down following a successful six-year tenure that included more than 60 wins. Thompson had described the position as his dream job and expressed gratitude toward the school community in his resignation announcement.
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THINGS TO DO
Project Hope to host 3rd annual ‘Drive for Hope’ Golf Classic in Crestview
by Ashley Armacost
Project Hope Florida will hold its 3rd annual “Drive for Hope” Golf Classic on April 28 at Blackwater Golf Club in Crestview, with proceeds supporting the organization’s addiction recovery programs.
- The 18-hole tournament begins at 11 a.m., offering participants lunch, dinner, raffles, giveaways and prizes for top teams, according to organization officials.
“This tournament provides a chance to support a great cause while enjoying a day on the course,” said a Project Hope representative.
Project Hope Florida operates a residential recovery center at 3690 US 90-E in Crestview, providing a 12-15 month substance abuse program for men struggling with addiction.
The Christ-centered program focuses on helping participants establish “a personal relationship with Jesus,” which the organization describes as “the key to true freedom and not just temporary sobriety.”
The organization first opened in Okaloosa County in June 2016 on Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach before relocating to Crestview in November 2020. The original facility saw more than 30 graduations and hosted regular spiritual events, including weekly chapel services.
- Project Hope’s stated mission is to “carry a message of hope and transformation to men with life-controlling problems” through a free, year-long residential discipleship process. Their programs aim to help participants become “mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.”
The organization recently launched Saving Grace, a program specifically designed for women in need of assistance. In addition to its Crestview location, Project Hope maintains facilities in Houston, Texas, and Russellville, Arkansas.
Sponsorship opportunities and team registrations remain open. Those interested can visit here or email info4golf@projecthoperc.net for more information.
BUSINESS
Builders FirstSource opens new Truss Plant in DeFuniak Springs
by Ashley Armacost
Builders FirstSource celebrated the grand opening of its new 50,000-square-foot truss manufacturing facility in DeFuniak Springs, creating 50 jobs and expanding its presence in Northwest Florida.
- The company is hosting an open house Thursday, May 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the plant, located at 205 Progress Lane, allowing contractors and construction industry professionals to tour the facility.
“The grand opening of Builders FirstSource’s new truss plant in DeFuniak Springs marks an exciting investment in the local community,” said Brian Richardson, Area Vice President. “This facility creates valuable job opportunities across manufacturing, safety, administration, delivery, and management, strengthening the regional economy.”
The event will include food, drinks, live music by Sean Williams, and a ribbon cutting with the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The state-of-the-art facility serves the Central Gulf Coast market with three production lines working simultaneously, producing 12-to-14 sets of trusses per day. The plant employs a team of 12 in-house truss designers with a combined 150 years of experience.
- “BFS DeFuniak stands head and shoulders above its competition,” said John Pugh, Area Sales Manager.
Builders who attend the event will receive 15% off their next truss package. Attendees can also enter to win prizes including two custom entry doors from BFS Gulf Armor and a Frameport 2-Panel Shaker door package valued up to $3,000.
- The event is being presented in partnership with Contractors Connect, a networking group for construction professionals that hosts monthly meetups throughout the Emerald Coast.
Builders FirstSource, traded on the NYSE (BLDR), is the nation’s largest supplier of structural building products and services for new residential construction and remodeling. The company operates approximately 590 locations across 43 states.
Locally, the company has 19 locations across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast, including five in Walton County — two lumberyards, a millwork showroom, a hardware/paint store in Grayton Beach, and the new truss plant.
Discount for custom home builders is limited to one discounted truss package per builder. Discount for track home builders is limited to one discounted truss package per county.
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Join the women making $100,000 impacts on our local community
Changing lives in our community one woman at a time. The idea is simple: 100 women donate $1,000 each to form a $100,000 high-IMPACT grant to help transform local nonprofit organizations.
- Since 2012, Impact100 NWF has given away $4.9 million dollars in grants to local nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Area nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for these grants.
Impact100’s goal is to have at least 500 members so that they are able to give away one $100,000 grant in each of the 5 categories: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
The organization is also very grateful for their business sponsors who assist with events as well as sponsoring memberships. If you are not a woman in the local area but want to help, please reach out as well!
Upcoming membership enrollment events:
- April 17th: Join Impact100 at The Pavilion at Eagles Nest, Blackwater Golf Course, Crestview from 5:30- 7:30 pm
- April 22nd: Join Impact100 for our final membership event of the 2025 enrollment period at The Beach House in Miramar Beach from 5:30- 7:30
They also have numerous Pop Up Events in March and April throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Join today and make an IMPACT in your local community! You can also email them at Impactnwf@impactnwf.org with any questions.
SCHOOL
Ruckel Middle School to host second annual color run fundraiser
by Ashley Armacost
Ruckel Middle School will hold its Second Annual Ruckel RAM JAM Color Run on Tuesday, April 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- The fundraising event aims to upgrade classroom technology, with a specific goal of equipping every classroom with a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.
Participants will run or walk a designated course while being showered with colored powder at various stations. The event will conclude with an after-party featuring a DJ and food trucks.
Registration is now open with fees of $25 for students and youth, and $35 for community members. Participants who register and meet donation requirements by April 17 will receive a color run T-shirt.
- T-shirt pickup is available on Monday, April 28, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the gym, or on race day from 5 to 6 p.m.
Registration can be completed online at https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ramjam. Students should select their homeroom teacher’s name from the group dropdown menu, while community members should select “community members (adult/youth).”
The Ruckel Middle School PTO, which organizes the event, is seeking sponsorships at several levels. Options include a $1,500 Line Sponsor package featuring banner placement at the start line and logo placement on event shirts, three $500 Corner Sponsor positions with banners at powder stations, and $750 packages for Water Station and Selfie Station sponsors that include various promotional benefits.
Ruckel Middle School is located at 201 Partin Dr N, Niceville, FL 32578. Those interested in sponsoring the event should contact calliemaz@gmail.com.
TRAFFIC
Destin council seeks to close dangerous US Highway 98 intersection after fatal crash
The Destin City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to draft a resolution supporting the closure of the intersection at US 98 and Regions Way, following a fatal crash last week that brought renewed attention to the dangerous crossing.
- Councilman Torey Geile cast the lone vote against the measure, which will now be sent to Okaloosa County officials to seek their support as well.
During the council meeting, Mayor Bobby Wagner addressed the issue, noting that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be repaving Danny Wuerffel Way in the fall and had reached out to determine if there was support to include modifications to the US 98 and Regions Way intersection as part of that project.
The intersection has been the site of 60 documented crashes over a five-year period, with 14 crashes resulting in injuries requiring medical transportation, according to an FDOT study conducted by Florida Transportation Engineering.
- After the April 2 fatal crash, Wagner had urged citizens to support safety improvements at the intersection, posting on social media that the location had seen “60 crashes, 14 injuries, and now, 1 fatality.”
The FDOT study pointed to several factors contributing to the dangerous conditions, including significant traffic queuing issues, frequent backup from nearby traffic signals, and “good Samaritan” gestures where drivers wave others through traffic – which accounted for 17 crashes.
The study’s primary recommendation was to reconstruct the existing full median opening at the intersection and convert it to a “directionalized left-turn only” for eastbound and westbound left-turn and U-turn movements.
- Wagner had previously noted that these safety improvements would come at no cost to the city through an existing FDOT resurfacing project, but required formal support from the city to move forward.
With Monday’s vote, the city will now work to secure Okaloosa County’s support through resolution before sending to FDOT.
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